Reforms in Canadian Militia Command: 1874

In 1874, the Canadian government made changes to the system of command for the Canadian militia. The new appointment was known as the general officer commanding (GOC). The GOC would be a colonel or officer of superior rank in the British regular army. As commander of the Canadian militia, the officer would hold the rank of major-general in the Militia of Canada. A Canadian officer, whose duties were limited to that of a staff officer, would be appointed to the post of adjutant-general. The British War Office was responsible for the selection of the general officer commanding. Major-General Edward Selby-Smyth became the first GOC Canadian Militia on 11 September 1874. A Canadian officer, Colonel W. Powell, was appointed as adjutant-general in April of the following year.